Whether as the result of genetics, pregnancy, aging, or weight change, women may develop sagging in the labia: the skin around their vaginal opening. Labiaplasty is a common surgical procedure that reduces this excess skin and creates a more compact and youthful appearance.
Dr. Brady is an expert in labiaplastyandhas performed more labiaplasty surgeries thanany other surgeon in North Texas. A certified fellow of the American Board ofObstetricians and Gynecologists, she has performed the procedure for thousands ofwomen whodesiredgreater comfort andincreasedconfidence in their intimate appearance.
A Single Surgery to Help Women Look a nd Feel Their Best
Many patients choose to have labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons. These women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their loose labial skin and may feel less confident in certain clothing and/or in intimate situations. Labiaplasty offers a firmer, younger appearance.
Alternatively, about half of the patients who come to Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas for labiaplasty decide to have the procedure to resolve physical discomfort. As examples:
- They may experience irritation or uncomfortable bulging when wearing certain clothes, like a thong or yoga pants.
- They might not be able to enjoy their favorite activities, like horseback riding or spin class.
- Sagging labial skin may interfere with intercourse or personal hygiene. Patients may have to move this tissue out of the way during sex or adjust this skin when placing a tampon.
Surgery revises the sagging labial skin in a way that resolves irritation, frees patients to wear and do what they want, and may increase the pleasure of intimacy as well.
Exploring Options with Labiaplasty
Each patient will begin with an initial consultation at Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas. During this visit, Dr. Brady will take the time to get to know her and to learn about her goals.
Dr. Brady will also perform a physical examination, allowing patients to pinpoint their specific areas of concern. Labiaplasty can address the inner labial lips (labia minora),the outer labial lips(labia majora), or both. Because our practice has extensive experience in labiaplasty procedures, patients also have the opportunity to look through hundreds of before and after photos to get a sense of the results they can expect.
Labiaplasty of the Minora: Before and After
Labiaplasty of the Majora: Before and After
What to Expect with Labiaplasty
Once a patient decides they’re ready for labiaplasty, we will have them come in for a pre-operative appointment and provide them with prescriptions and resources to make their recovery more comfortable. For patients from outside of Dallas, Women’s Wellness Institute may schedule virtual appointments if the patient desires to minimize travel time.
majority of labiaplasty procedures take place in the office using local anesthesia. Dr. Brady also offers labiaplasty surgery in an accredited women’s surgery center with general anesthesia for women who are anxious about surgery while awake. The specific techniques that she will use will depend in part on whether the surgery focuses on the labia majora, the labia minora, the clitoral hood or the reduction of all three.
Dr. Brady uses the Ellman® needle tip scalpel device for labiaplasty incisions providing patients the most aesthetically appealing outcome and fastest recovery possible. This instrument utilizes unipolar radio frequency energy to sculpt the labia while preventing damage to any surrounding tissue. She will close the surgical site with absorbable stitches that dissolve over 6 weeks.
Recovery After Labiaplasty
Following in-office surgery, patients may immediately return home or to the hotel and must be driven by a friend or family member. Dr. Brady provides her patients with her mobile phone number so that she will always be available to respond to questions or concerns.
The morning after labiaplasty, patients return to the office for an incision check to confirm healthy healing, to check for unusual bleeding and review medications. Overall ,most women take 2-3 days off work and their normal routine, and then they follow the guidelines below:
- Treat the surgical site with ice packs for the first three days:alternating20minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Use a stool softener to prevent constipation.
- Avoid exercise from the waist down.
- Wear loose clothing, avoid using tampons, and do not participate in oral sex, anal sex, or vaginal intercourse.
- Do not soak in water including bubble baths and hot tubs.
Most of our patients describe the pain related to recovery as extremely manageable and approximately 1/3 of women manage post-operative pain merely with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. As the nerves heal and the stitches dissolve, patients may feel itching, which they can treat with BENADRYL® as well as prescription lidocaine ointment. These symptoms usually subside after 7-10 days.
Restrictions are lifted six weeks after labiaplasty, though it will take 4-6 months to seethe final results of surgery. Six months after surgery patients are encouraged to return to Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas to make sure that they are completely thrilled with their surgical results both aesthetically and functionally.
"After having several of the surgical procedures Dr. Brady specializes in last summer and recovering completely, I must say I couldn’t be happier with my results. Absolutely lovely. Before my procedures, during recovery and beyond, every question and concern I asked or called about was quickly and graciously clarified or taken care of. Being a bit of a perfectionist and a RN, my expectations were very high. Dr. Brady and her staff covered every detail with me before my surgery appointment and then exceeded all of them. Their thoughtfulness in every detail was impressive and reassuring. For example, the morning of my surgery they gave me a big, cute personalized tote with helpful comfort items! As I was waking up after my surgery the recovery room nurse was so attentive and lighthearted yet serious about her duties, she made me proud to be a nurse. My experience there couldn’t have been better. I couldn’t be more grateful."
Genetics, aging and weight changes can prevent women from looking the way they want, taking part in the activities they love, and enjoying intimacy to the fullest. To learn more about what to expect with labiaplasty procedure before and after, contact Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas online or by phone at 214-442-0055.